Edie Jarolim - Am I Boring My Dog?: And 99 Other Things Every Dog Wishes You Knew

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Copyright 2009 by Edie Jarolim

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For the rescuers, who rescue us, too, by bringing dogs into our
lives, and for the first-time dog owners whove discovered its
never too late for puppy love.

INTRODUCTION

Youre writing a book about dogs? my friend Sharon asked, sounding surprised. I never really thought of you as a dog person. Sharon and I have known each other since we were 5, so I wasnt surprised by her surprise. I never really thought of myself as a dog person either, until I got a dog, which made me a dog person by default. Before then, I was convinced there was a dog-person demographicone that I didnt fit.

Not that I didnt like dogs. Far from it. But I grew up in pre-hip Brooklyn, with a mother who feared all creatures great and small. The dogs I saw on TV romped around the country-side or chased balls down suburban streets. They didnt board elevators in rundown apartment buildings or beg for pastrami from the corner deli. Nor did actual dogs frequent my early circles. The occasional hamster and odd budgie found their way into my friends homes, but our childhood menageries were canine-free.

Marriage, tiny Manhattan quarters, graduate school, publishing jobs with long hours all, I decided, ruled out getting a dog. Even when I bought a house with a backyard in Tucson, Arizona, I remained dogless. Everyone knows that coyotes, not their domesticated kin, live in the desert.

Besides, I had become a travel writer.

I might have rationalized my prime dog-rearing years away, secretly worried that, like my mother, I lacked the canine caretaking gene. Then in 2004 I met Rebecca, fellow writer, fellow foodieand evangelical dog rescuer.

The next thing I knew, I was palling around with terriers.

Or, to be specific, one small terrier mix: Frankie.

I didnt take Rebeccas canine bait right away, mind you. Sure, the picture she e-mailed me was cute, but Frankie was about 5 years old when he was found skittering around the streets of Tucson. Id always pictured myself with a new model dog. And then there were my travelsnot as frequent or far-flung as in the past, but still a good fallback excuse. What would happen to Frankie when I went away?

Rebecca informed me that older dogs were much mellower than puppiesand thus a better fit for a newbie like meand that Frankie was very low maintenance. She promised to take care of him while I was gone, but pointed out that many hotels accept small dogs. The fact that I was always holed up, writing, when I was in Tucson was a real advantage, Rebecca added. She was certain Id give Frankie a great home.

It was this last assurance that finally reeled me in. If a dog rescuer thought Id be a good dog guardian well, maybe I would be.

And so, after deeming my home dog-safe ( Hint: neatness is not a criterion), Rebecca asked me to suggest a date to begin Frankies two-week trial stay with me. I optimistically chose my upcoming birthday.

I would like to report that Frankie and I bonded immediately, that as soon as his trusting little face looked into mine I knew Id made the right decision. I would like to, but it would be a lie. Frankies little face wasnt trusting; it was terrified. He glued himself to my couch and went on a hunger strike. His sole demand: Rebeccas return. I spent my birthday in tears, certain Id made the biggest mistake of my life.

But pride and obstinacy have their rewards. I prefer not to admit that Ive done something stupid (unless Im certain to be found out, in which case I confess, all cheerful selfdeprecation) or that Im inept (ditto). I knew I was ignorant about all things canine, but I also knew that people far meaner than me managed to get dogs to like them. Surely I could win over one small, dejected pup.

I started calling friends and asking questions, reading dog books, going to training classes, asking more questions, reading some more. Frankie pitched in, after his desire for food overcame his ardor for Rebecca. And slowly, despite Frankies fears and mine, we built a life togethera rich, complex, and frequently goofy one.

And that dog person profile? Feh. Anyone who likes dogs canand deserves tobe a dog person. Its just a question of getting some basics under your belt.

Which is why I decided to write a book about dogs.

The result , Am I Boring My Dog?, is geared toward those who are contemplating getting a dog, those who have just gotten a dog, and those who believe they can do better by their dogin short, the confused and the guilty. I remain among their vast ranks. I know a great deal more about dogs than I did before I got one and before I researched this book, but I learn something new each day. Frankie, in particular, lets me know that I still have a long way to go toward understanding his speciesas, he believes, do animal scientists.